Mexico Could Be the Next Country to Legalize Marijuana According to New Foreign Minister

After Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana, everyone's wondered what country will be next. And while many believe it could be the United States, apparently it could be a different North American country.

Mexico's incoming foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard said he believes his country could "absolutely" follow in Canada's footsteps and legalize recreational marijuana, and said the war on drugs "doesn't work." Ebrard made these comments after speaking with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"We think it is a very interesting option in the short term for Mexico," Ebrard said. "It doesn't make sense to have a law forbidding the possession or production of cannabis and we have 9,000 people in jail for that, we have a huge amount of violence in the country."

Ebrard will become Mexico's new foreign minister on December 1st when recently-elected President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador finally takes office. The incoming president campaigned on ending the failed war on drugs in Mexico, although he never went quite so far as to advocate legalizing marijuana.

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The city of Lawrence, Kansas, is looking to make it so that a marijuana possession fine costs less than a cup of coffee for first and second time offenders. The proposed $1 possession fine would replace their current $200 penalty, as well as a $63 court fee. Those charged under the current regulations also have to undergo a court evaluation, which comes with additional costs.